Waterbury school support staff say sudden unpaid closures squeezed paychecks; board urged to act
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Summary
Multiple public commenters, including a UPSEU Local 69 vice president and school support staff, told the Waterbury Board of Education that recent unplanned closures and a contract reinterpretation forced many 10‑month employees to absorb unpaid days, leaving families short on rent and groceries.
Evelyn Devon, vice president of UPSEU Local 69 and a parent liaison at North End Middle School, told the Waterbury Board of Education on Jan. 15 that district staffing and payroll practices have left many 10‑month employees facing financial hardship.
"Staff are now being asked to absorb 6 non paid days within a 3 week working period," Devon said, adding that notice for unpaid days has dropped at times "to as little as 24 hours." She said some members have no personal time left to apply to closures and that the cumulative impact has "escalated quickly," resulting in families visiting food pantries despite being employed by the district.
Julio Gutard, a behavior counselor at Crosby High School, echoed those concerns and described support staff as essential to student welfare. Gutard said he and colleagues are struggling to make ends meet when closures reduce income and urged the board to consider more support for 10‑month employees.
Rev. Ollie Grama III, a city employee and resident, asked the board to consider the broader public‑health context of the December water‑main emergency. "The city declared a state of an emergency, and employees should not be financially penalized for complying with the public health and safety realities created by that emergency," he said, calling compensation for emergency‑related absences an ethical responsibility.
Speakers noted that federal grant reductions and redirected Title I funds (including funding used for ParentSquare) had reduced available local flexibility. Devon said the union requested a meeting after the water‑main closures but the request was declined and told the issue could be part of contract negotiations, which she said are not expected to conclude until summer.
The board did not respond to public comment at the meeting; administrators said public remarks would be referred to the district administration for review and response. The agenda later moved to routine approvals and capital project items. The board then convened executive session to discuss pending litigation and security strategies.